PRESS RELEASE:  Living legend Kimo Leopoldo, the undisputed superstar of New Era Fighting, has offered his opinion on what it's going to take to win NEF's "World Toughest Man" contest, as well as his feelings about the winner's chances against him in the anticipated $1,000,000 showdown.
 
"It's going to take some luck and everything to be aligned perfectly for the guy who wins the 'World's Toughest Man' contest," Kimo said during a break from his workout in Southern California. "The winner is probably going to be an unorthodox fighter who is strong and is a naturally gifted athlete. He'll need to be in great shape, cardio wise, with veracity and, again, some luck, and a winning spirit.
 
"Our tryouts will give all of the fighters just one shot to impress New Era Fighting's CEO (Ron Kort). They'll have to go all out, no pacing. No rhythm; all out, full throttle. They'll need the balls to hold up throughout the entire series. But NEF is also about entertainment, not just a sport, and if they give it their all, they'll earn everybody's respect. Even if they don't make the cut in the 'World Toughest Man' tryouts, they still could end up getting an NEF contract to fight on New Era's shows (non-'World's Toughest Man' contest)."
 
Tickets are now on sale for New Era Fighting's "World's Toughest Man" contest initial tryout session on July 18-20 at Quiet Cannon (AKA QC's in Montebello) in Montebello, California.  Registration for fighters (minimum of 205 pounds), as well as female models, are currently being held online at www.NewEraFighting.com and sign-ins for those selected from registration will be from 5 PM/PT to 8:30 PM/PT on Wednesday, July 18, followed by warm-ups and a rules meeting on Thursday afternoon. Fight tryouts are scheduled Thursday and Friday evenings, July 19-20.
 
Tickets are priced at $20.00 each for July 19 and July 20. Two different Kimo T-shirts and tank tops for women are also on sale for $24.99 each. A T-shirt and one-night ticket, either Thursday or Friday, are available for $39.99. Go to www.NewEraFighting.com and click on "shop" to purchase tickets and/or merchandise.
 
Food, beverages and T-shirts will be sold throughout the tryouts. NEF fighters already under contract will be available to the public for meet-and-greets throughout the tryouts. All fighters (experienced or not) are eligible to compete in the WTC tryouts.
 
Combat fighters selected after the July 19-20 tryout session will advance to the next round, where they will fight each other in a tournament format to eventually determine 10 survivors. The 10 tryout survivors, as well as fighters already signed to New Era Fighting (NEF) promotional contracts, will compete on a show in several months for the right to be crowned "World's Toughest Man." Tryout sessions will also serve as scouting opportunities for NEF to sign fighters.
 
"Even if they don't survive the tryouts," NEF president Ron Kort explained, "they can still come back and tryout next year. It can be a stepping-stone into the mixed martial arts world, either through an offer to sign with NEF, or with another organization. After competing in our tryouts they will know if they have what it takes."
 
The "World's Toughest Man" (WTC) contest winner will then be offered an anticipated $1,000,000 winner-take-all purse to fight living legend Kimo, headlining a full card for a pay-per-view broadcast live from Las Vegas at a date to be determined.
 
"The winner of the 'World's Toughest Man' contest, to beat me, will need to be ready to give and take and be as hungry as me," Kimo noted. "Age isn't a factor in our sport, look at Randy Couture. MMA athletes mature with age and, if their bodies lose anything at all, better techniques through experience will more than make up for it.
 
"I don't think any technique specialty will have an advantage over other fighters - boxer, grappler, kick boxer, wrestler, karate, jui jitsu, etc. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For me it's destiny. Let the winner come and I'll be ready to fight him. He may be somebody or nobody in MMA, no one really knows. There's a lot of raw talent out there."
 
For more information about NEF or its "World's Toughest Man" contest call 714.973.3053/714.448.9999 or go on line to www.NewEraFighting.com